At 50-1 Skipper Gleghorn called up the spinners and the world changed very quickly. James Wynn Evans (3-31). Danny Scott (2-17) and Craig Scott (4-25) made extremely light work of Highway’s batting order, dismissing them for only 110 leaving Barby victorious by 86 runs.

Barby left, knowing that there will be tougher days to come in this their first year in the higher divisions but buoyed by the adaptability shown and the continued excellence in the field.

Next week Coleshill are welcomed to the BCG in what should be a sterner test for the blue caps.

Warwickshire Division 7

Barby 2nd XI (3pts) v Coleshill 2nd XI (20pts)

Barby 2s hosted recently demoted Coleshill for the first 2nd team home game of the season.

Barby skipper Shay lost the toss and was put into bat on what looked like a good batting wicket.

Wickets soon began to tumble with Bramley, Nobes and Tarrant all falling cheaply.

A 12-over partnership between Adam Shay (32) and Paul Corns (16) steadied the ship before a spirited effort from the tail, including Sid Gautam (25) and Antony Franks (15) leading to a more than respectable score of 174.

The second innings started with Corns from the top end and Shay from the bottom.

Some tight bowling ensued from both ends and after opener Baker (28) fell to an incredible catch by Craven in the gully runs dried up.

Wickets fell regularly but Coleshill showed their class and despite a slow start Ali (59) ushered Coleshill home with overs to spare.

Northants Division 13

Barby 3rd XI 117 all out v Stony Stratford 5th XI 118-7

Barby 3rds ended up on the wrong end of a thrilling encounter away at Wicken, losing by three wickets with just two overs remaining.

Having opted to bat first upon winning the toss (captain Hardbattle left with little choice as a good number of the team were stuck in traffic and miles from the ground) Hardbattle and stand-in opener Sherwood constructed an opening stand of 45 in 15 overs.

Once they fell, the all too familar collapse unravelled once again with only Manzella and Shastri (both scoring 26) also reaching double figures.

A score of 117 was disappointing after a good start, but the surface was uneven and the bowlers had a chance with something to bowl at.

Opener Coles appeared to be leading the hosts to an easy win as he reached his 50 with Stony 73-1.

However, a superb fightback by Barby saw the bowlers claw it back and reduce Stony’s young side to 87-7 with all to play for.

Sherwood (1-21) and Manzella (3-36) both bowled superbly as did Charlie Britton once in again in taking 3-12.

A defiant innings by Stony’s captain ensured that the hosts scraped over the line with 30 runs being added for the 8th wicket in 16 tense, hard fought overs.

Special mention for Matt Beagley who donned the keeping gloves for the first time and did a stirling job, conceding only four byes in the 37.1 overs.